IDF: Mortar attack carried out by Islamic Jihad in response to tunnel demolition

The IDF says the firing of mortar shells at IDF soldiers on Thursday came in response to the demolition of a terror tunnel earlier this month, in which over a dozen Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists were killed.

The IDF Spokesperson has stated that Thursday’s mortar attack on IDF soldiers near the northern Gaza border was carried out by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in response to the IDF’s demolition of a terror tunnel early in November.

According to Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis, the IDF knows the names of the perpetrators and that they belong to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, though it still holds Hamas responsible.

Earlier on Thursday, about 12 mortar shells were fired at IDF soldiers who were conducting engineering works near the border fence. The IDF retaliated by striking four terror targets in the Gaza Strip using jets and tanks.

The Israeli Air Force is reportedly still operating above Gaza and has struck two more Hamas targets.